Rwanda

Located in east-central Africa, Rwanda; landlocked; is known for its breathtaking scenery, Rwanda is often referred to as le pays des mille collines (French: “land of a thousand hills”). The capital is Kigali, located in the center of the country on the Ruganwa River.

The Economy

Rwanda is a rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely populated country in Africa;Primary exports are coffee and tea; few natural resources and minimal industry.

The Population

In 2010, the total population was 10,624,000. The indigenous population consists of three ethnic groups. The Hutus, who comprise the majority of the population (85%), are farmers of Bantu origin. The Tutsis (14% before the Genocide, probably less than 10% now) are a pastoral people who arrived in the area in the 15th century. Until 1959, they formed the dominant caste under a feudal system based on cattleholding.The Twa (pygmies) (1%) are thought to be the remnants of the earliest settlers of the region.